British thriller applauded for ‘excellent’ storytelling soars up Amazon Prime charts

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. A British thriller which has been praised for its ‘excellent’ storytelling with an ‘amazing’ cast has climbed its way up Amazon Prime charts. The Rig, starring Line of Duty’s Martin Compston and Rochenda Sandall, Schitt’s Creek’s Emily Hampshire and Game of Thrones star Iain Glen, has returned for a second season on the streaming service, after first airing in 2023.

The first series, consisting of six episodes, followed a group of oil workers, the Kinloch Bravo crew, led by Magnus MacMillan (Iain), who were stationed off the Scottish coast, surrounded by the dangerous waters of the North Sea. Before being collected home, they become engulfed in thick fog and cut off from their communication systems, and soon realise they’re being infected by the mysterious substance surrounding them, causing various supernatural reactions.

As conflict and eco terror ensues, The Rig begins to raise important questions about mankind’s relationship with nature and environmental catastrophes. Season two looks to be just as dramatic as the first, with the synopsis teasing: ‘On a new high-tech rig deep in the Arctic Circle, the surviving oil workers of the Kinloch Bravo accept a dangerous mission that sends them across the treacherous frozen sea – and towards secrets hidden deep below it.’.

Fans are clearly already hooked, with the series reaching the number ten spot on Amazon Prime Video’s UK TV chart after launching on January 2. Martin previously teased The Rig as the ‘biggest show’ he’d ever worked on ahead of season one’s release. The Fulmer Hamilton actor said: ‘I’ve worked with [director John Strickland] a few times and he’s got about a class about him. ‘He always has a great set because John is very calm and very funny and you trust him.

‘When I spoke to him about it, it was the scale of the thing that I found exciting. It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever worked on in terms of the ambition of it.’. Despite climbing its way up the charts, season two has mixed reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with an impressive 80% score but an underwhelming 35% Popcornmeter rating. ‘Just as good as season one! A lot of dots are connected and discoveries made. There is a lot of potential story left to tell!’ one viewer, Isaac B, wrote, giving it five stars.

Conner M added: ‘Great series that explores current environmental issues through sci-fi in a tense and exciting way. Admittedly, it was a little slow at points but overall kept me interested and eager to watch the next episode. Definitely worth the watch!’. Others claimed it wasn’t as good as season one, with Audrey W writing: ‘Nowhere near as good as Season 1. I persevered but it’s slow and too “wordy”.’.

‘Screen play is so bad… Boring and going nowhere. Season 1 was good but this is just wast of time…,’ AB fumed, giving the second season a measly one star. ‘Totally hooked an amazing cast and storyline Hopefully we get a third season,’ one reviewer, J R, meanwhile said. Over on X, @OldYesButWise wrote: ‘Watching S2 of “The Rig” (on Amazon). Excellent sci-fi that hits hard on many climate & biodiversity issues in the real world.’.

@sunrisereapiing said: ‘The Rig on amazon prime is the mid sci-fi show tv has sorely been missing the past few years,’ before adding: ‘is it doing anything groundbreaking? no. am i enjoying myself? yes and that’s the most important thing.’. The stars of the show have pondered over a third instalment, sharing their eagerness to return. Rochenda said, according to The Scottish Daily Express: ‘We’d always like to come back!’.

Iain agreed: ‘We would love to come back.’. He went on: ‘In all honesty, we really love doing it. We think there’s more story to tell, you know.’. What I Own: I quit London at 48 and bought my first home in Sussex for £325,000. I bought a house with my partner — but when we broke up, he refused to sell. I build 20ft tiny homes for homeless people (and they only cost £12,000). London's cheapest place to rent revealed — but it might not be for long.

Londoners are flocking to this ‘bustling’ neighbourhood 10 miles from the centre. The Rig is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Got a story?. If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you. Arrow MORE: Amazon Prime Video fans urged to binge ‘compelling’ thriller based on movie.